Oyetola reveals Osun preventive measures against COVID-19

The Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, has disclosed how his government’s swift emergency response helped in averting fatal damage of coronavirus outbreak in the state.

He explained that the government proactive and stricter precautionary measures taken during the first waves of the deadly respiratory disease was among effective strategies used in defeating the pandemic and mitigating its impact across the state.

Recognising contributions of health workers and other frontliners in the fight against coronavirus, the governor noted that their commitment and untiring spirits saved the state from unimaginable disaster during the virus peak period.

Speaking on Monday when he received in audience members of the Senior Course 43 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Kaduna, led by the Director, Department of Land Warfare, Brig. Gen. A.A Fayemiwo, the governor hinted that aggressive public enlightenment and education also played an important role in the state’s victory story.

Commending the team who was in Osun for a study tour on the theme “Pandemics & National Security: COVID-19 in perspective”, Oyetola assured the state’s commitment to preventing measures aimed at mitigating spread of the virus during its second wave.

“Permit me to appreciate the Nigerian Armed Forces for their non-kinetic collaboration and unflinching security support at all times. Your theme for this Tour is indeed apt considering the devastating effect of the Coronavirus pandemic globally. As a state, the pandemic took its toll on us, like in other States. However, our proactive measures helped significantly in mitigating its effect on our people.

“For an appropriate holistic response, we constituted a central coordinating committee headed by myself with a delegated authority to my Deputy, alongside inter- ministerial committees to take charge of key aspects of our response to the crisis. Thankfully, we rose to the occasion with an aggressive public advocacy programme and containment strategy, with the active support of some of our renowned medical professionals.

“We were also firm in imposing total lockdown that paid off in no small measure in helping us to restrict the spread of the virus. Also, the worth of our sustained investment in public health revitalisation came to the fore, especially around Ejigbo where the crisis broke out as a result of the return of our citizens and those of other states from Ivory Coast. Our proactive handling of the Ivory Coast returnees averted a major pandemic and earned us encomiums from Nigerians, the NCDC and other notable organisations.

“Looking back, I must say that our broad-based and inclusive stakeholder engagement helped in no small measure in tackling the first wave of the pandemic. For instance, we are among the first States to set up a Food and Relief Committee, involving eminent citizens of our State across political and religious divides. In all, I am happy with what we have done so far. We will continue to draw worthy lessons from the experience,” Oyetola added.

Oyetola reveals Osun preventive measures against COVID-19

By News Desk,